UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA

Department of Physics
PHY 122 - Electricity & Magnetism, Introduction to Modern Physics
ASSIGMENT – EM 3
1. At a certain position in space the electric
potential is V = 24 000 V. What is the
potential energy at this point of
(a) an electron and,
(b) a proton
2. Two small spherical objects that carry
charges of +3 µC and -8 µC are initially
separated by 4 cm.
(a) What is the change in electrostatic
potential energy if the separation is
increased by 2 cm?
(b) How much work has been done?
(c) What is the change in electrostatic
potential energy if the separation is
reduced to 2 cm?
(d) Is the work done on the charges in the
latter case?
3. At a distance of 100 km from a small,
electrically charged asteroid, it is found that
there is an electric field of 300 V/m. How
much charge does the asteroid carry?
2022/2023
Tutorial Dates 15-20 February, 2023
points A(x = 0.2 m) and B(x
= 0.7m)?
(b) Which point (A or B) is at a
higher potential?
(c) At which points on the x-
axis will the electric
potential due to the two
charges be zero?
(d) Calculate the work required
to bring a third charge q3 =
+2 μC from infinity to point
B.
(e) Calculate the work needed
to move a charge q3 from B
to A.
5. Two parallel plates are
separated by an air gap of 4
cm. What voltage (potential
difference) must be placed
across the plates to produce
an electric field strength of 2
KV/m?

6. Four charges are arranged as shown in figure.

(a) Calculate the energy required to Calculate its speed by the time it
assemble the charges into the shown reaches point B.
configuration.
(b) Calculate the electric potential at point
A and B (at the centre).
(c) Find the energy required to bring a
charge q0 = -15 μC (i) from
infinity to point B (ii) from point A to
B.
(d) If q0 is released from rest at point A and
accelerates towards B,

4. A charge Q1 = +6.0 µC is
located at x = 0 cm; a charge
Q2 = -8 µC is located at x =
1m.
(a) What is the potential
difference between the

LDS/KMM/ZGK/LR/MT 2022/23